Transportation device for a musical instrument

ABSTRACT

The transportation device for a musical instrument, preferably for a cello, is made to fit over a conventional everyday case which is made of a hard material and which is provided with hinges. There is provided a protective cover for the everyday case which is adapted to the shape of the everyday case, is impact resistant and is completely surrounding the everyday case, when the everyday case is placed therein. The protective cover is inflatable and deflatable, and it is surrounded by an outside cover made of a puncture-proof and flexible fabric. The protective cover and the outside cover are attached to each other. Both covers are light-weight compared to the everyday case.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a transportation device for a musicalinstrument, preferably for a cello, intended to be used in conjunctionwith and to fit over and around a conventional everyday case made of ahard material, which is provided with hinges and whose interior isintended for the admission of the musical instrument.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays musicians, e.g., soloists and members of leading symphonyorchestras, must travel frequently by air. To protect the instrument andits case during air transport, the secure packing of the instrument andits case requires special measures. It must be protected againstexternal impact, such as sudden knocks, falls or drops, or abrasion onsharp corners, points, edges, and the like.

A particular risk is the flight itself. The musician delivers theinstrument accommodated in a transport container (such as an everydaycase) to the baggage check-in and receives it only upon arrival at thebaggage claim. Unfortunately, serious damage can take place intransport, and sometimes the instrument is completely destroyed. Theinstrument in its container is treated improperly, it can be thrown fromthe airplane hold onto the baggage conveyancing system, or it can evenbe dropped from the airplane hold onto the tarmac from a height ofseveral meters.

For everyday use, the musician ordinarily transports his instrument inan upholstered transport cover made from flexible material or in a hardshell case (“everyday case”). Such containers are absolutely suitablefor daily use, where there is minimal risk from serious impact. Thesecases are advantageous because they are relatively lightweight. Ahard-shell case for a cello weighs between 3 to 6 kg.

Under the name “flight case”, there are special hard shell-cases on themarket which are offered for use on airline flights and are equippedwith special features to prevent damage during flight transport. Thereis a hard shell case for a stringed instrument (Gill, D-91088Bubenreuth) which is manufactured using fiber glass and contains aninternal suspension fixture and velvet upholstery to help protect theinstrument. Such a hard shell case possesses a weight of 9.5 kg for acello and 23 kg for a double-bass.

Another available hard shell case (GEWA, D-82477 Mittenwald) employs ashell made from fiberglass-reinforced synthetic resin. An internalsuspension fixture for the instrument is also provided. Another internalfeature is foamed plastic upholstery for the back and ribs of thestringed instrument. Such hard shell cases for a double bass weigh 25kg. So-called “flight cases” possess as a rule a weight considerablyabove that of the everyday case. This also accounts for the higherpurchase price.

Nevertheless, insurance societies who provide insurance cover formusical instruments declare that hard shell cases, even if they areconceived and equipped for the rough conditions of flight transport, donot withstand occasional damage and therefore do not guarantee fullprotection.

Hence, a solution would be desirable which on the one hand offers fullprotection against destruction of the instrument during air transport,in particular as it relates to impact, and, on the other hand, is alsorelatively lightweight. The transportation device should dispense withthe need for an additional and special flight container which isexpensive to purchase, takes up considerable space, and is heavy totransport.

From the German patent application DE 100 38 467 A1 a foldable case froma soft, malleable material is designed for use with a musicalinstrument. The shape conforms to a typical musical instrument and isobtained here by inflating of inner tubes or aerial chambers located inthe interior of the soft-case. These inner tubes or aerial chambersoffer an additional protection for the musical instrument. It is to bestressed, however, that these inner tubes or aerial chambers are locatedin the interior of the soft-case. In the event of impact against a sharpobject, the case might be punctured or pierced and with it theprotecting inner tube, so that the air can escape. Such a soft-case isnot planned for flight transportation and is designed especially for anacoustic guitar.

Another inflatable transportation device for a musical instrument isknown from U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,778. This device comprises an inflatablebottom portion and an inflatable lid portion with a space in which theinstrument is accommodated, completely encased by independentlyinflatable structures. In addition it must be stressed that aconventional everyday case is not used here.

A transportation device which comprises a conventional hard shell case(“everyday case”) and an external protective cover is offered forjourneys by air and available on the market. (BAM, F-14160Dives-sur-Mer). The protective cover consists of two halves made of animpact resistant and extremely strong, respectable material, which areadapted to the shape of the everyday case and which are connected witheach other by a completely running around zipper. The inside of theprotective cover is laid out with a thick layer from a foamed plastic ofhigh density which protects the everyday case and the instrument againstimpact and thermal charges. The protective cover is provided with threehandles and two backpack belts. The protective cover when conceived fora cello case weighs 8 kg. Its weight lies therefore above the weight ofthe everyday case which usually amounts to 3 to 6 kg.

Also it must be emphasized that such protective covers are sized forspecified everyday cases. Nevertheless, a varied use with differenteveryday cases of different manufacturers would be desirable. Inaddition, the owner of the protective cover needs a considerable spacefor keeping and storing it when not in use. When in use while travelingcertain difficulties can arise because of the size, weight and solidity,e.g., with accommodation in a normal sized taxi, while getting on andoff a bus or a streetcar, or with the transport over an escalator.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a transportation device fora musical instrument made to fit over a conventional hard shell everydaycase and comprising an external protective cover to increase thesecurity, in particular concerning journeys by air.

It is another object of the invention to improve the handling and stillto reduce the weight of the complete transportation device.

And it is still another object of the invention to design the protectivecover is such a way that it can be folded and stored when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a transportation device is provided

-   -   wherein a protective cover for the everyday case and the musical        instrument contained therein is provided, wherein the protective        cover is adapted to the shape of the everyday case, is impact        resistant and is completely surrounding the everyday case, when        the everyday case is placed therein,    -   wherein a zipper is provided, when said zipper is open, the        everyday case is easily accommodated within the protective cover        and easily removable from the protective cover,    -   wherein the protective cover is inflatable and deflatable,    -   wherein the protective cover is surrounded by an outside cover        made of a puncture-proof and flexible fabric,    -   wherein the protective cover and the outside cover (are attached        to each other, and    -   wherein the protective cover together with the outside cover is        light-weight compared to the everyday case.

Such a transportation device can be used with all kinds of musicalinstruments, thus, e.g., with stringed- and plucked instruments,woodwind and brass instruments. It offers by the use of at least oneaerial chamber and the puncture-proof outside cover an effectiveprotection against sudden knocks, falls or drops or other improperexternal treatment. The protective cover can be adapted to different orvarious contours of everyday cases and therefore can be used witheveryday cases of different manufacturers.

In connection with the transportation device a carrying bag may be usedwhich is constructed of a light synthetic fabric and in which theprotective cover, surrounded by the outside cover, can be accommodatedafter removal from the everyday case and after being folded. In such acarrying bag the protective cover and the outside cover (with the airdeflated) may easily be stored away when not in use during a trip or athome. Proper handling is guaranteed, e.g., while traveling by taxi, andthe transport by hand causes no serious problems, because the weight ofthe protective cover with outside cover and carrying bag is relativelylow and amounts to approximately 3 kg, while the everyday case itselfweighs between 3 to 6 kg.

The protective cover and the outside cover may be connected with eachother, e.g., by glueing or welding or by a Velcro closing. The outsidecover should be waterproof or provided with a water-proof layer.

The protective cover may possess one or several aerial chambers. Ifseveral aerial chambers exist, e.g., 2 or 3 which contribute to anincreased level of security, these chambers should each be inflatableindependently from one another. Each of these aerial chambers mayconsist of a series of single segments or partial aerial chambers, forinstance, in the form of tubes, and the segments of every series shouldbe connected with each other in parallel. The segments of the individualseries should be arranged alternately beside each other. It is forsafety reasons that the segments of the different series are arrangedalternately beside each other. The thickness of the inflatableprotective cover should be between 5 to 10 cm when inflated.

Additional embodiments are described in the subclaims.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the more particular description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. For identical elements, the same referencenumerals will be used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-section through a protective cover for an everydaycase (made of a hard material containing a stringed instrument) as wellas through the attached outside cover, wherein the everyday case isshown in a side view,

FIG. 2 is a cross-section along the direction II-II of FIG. 1, whereinthe everyday case is shown in side representation,

FIG. 3 a side view in the direction III-III of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a cross-section along the direction IV-IV of FIG. 1, whereby,according to a first modification, alternately side by side arranged airchambers of a first and a second series are used,

FIG. 5 is a view according to FIG. 4, whereby, according to a secondmodification, two independent air chambers are arranged on top of eachother, and

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale accordingto a modification having circular protective cover tubes and a jointbacking.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

According to FIG. 1 the transportation device 2 for a musicalinstrument, here especially for a cello (not shown), comprises aflexible, inflatable and deflatable protective cover 4 (air bladder) forthe protection of the everyday case 6 and the cello contained therein,and a comparatively thin and puncture-proof outside cover 8 whichcompletely surrounds the protective cover 4.

In the conventional manner, the everyday case 6 has two hinges 10 and anumber of locks 12 located around the circumference. A handle 14 isarranged on the opposite side of the hinges 10.

The protective cover 4 is illustrated—for reasons of clarity—at somedistance from the everyday case 6. In reality in its inflated conditionit lies close to the everyday case 6. It is at least roughly adapted tothe contour of the everyday case 6. Also the puncture-proof outsidecover 8 is shown at some distance from the protective cover 4. Inreality adjoins the protective cover 4. As a matter of preference, theywill be attached to each other, e.g., by glueing or by welding.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the single protective cover 4 consists ofan internal layer 16 and an external layer 18. Both layers 16, 18 aremade from a light, adaptable and foldable material, preferably from asynthetic material.

In the inflated state these layers 16, 18 have a distance D to eachother. This distance D characterizes the thickness of the inflatedprotective cover 4 and therefore the thickness of the protecting aircushion (air bladder). The thickness D should lie in the area of about 5to 10 cm to guarantee an effective impact protection during airtransportation. Given the flexibility of the material used for theprotective cover 4, it can expand while inflating, thus the dimensionswill change upon inflation. Then the pressure, measured by a pressuregauge (not shown), determines the thickness D.

As mentioned, the outside cover 8 is made of an adaptable andpuncture-proof material. There may be a water-proof layer or water-prooffinish. This material should be abrasion-resistant at the same time. Asa suitable material, in particular a bullet-proof fabric, such as theone known under the name “Kevlar”, or another fabric called “Zylon” maybe used. The protective cover 4, together with the outside cover 8, islight-weight in comparison to the weight of the everyday case 6.

An aerial inlet not shown in FIG. 1 leading to the space between thelayers 16, 18 allows the inflation by means of an air pump or an aerialcompressor before starting a journey by air, namely through a valve. Bythe operation of this valve the air can also be released and emptied,when the protective cover 4 is not in use, so that it collapses. Then itcan be removed easily from the everyday case 6, after opening of atleast one zipper (later shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) for a less dangeroustransport or for safekeeping. Afterwards the protective cover 4 and theoutside cover 8 can be folded and accommodated together, e.g., in acarrying bag (not shown) or in another container, as desired.

From FIG. 2 it is evident that the protective cover 4 is divided, namelyin two sections which allow the protective cover 4 to open up. Therebythe enclosure and removal of the everyday case 6 are allowed. Thedividing area is marked with 20. In this dividing area 20 whichcorresponds to the broader end of the protective cover 4 a zipper 22 isattached to the outside cover 8. This zipper 22 extends to the dividingarea 20 and beyond, along the right and left wall (shown in FIG. 1) ofthe outside cover 8. It extends a given distance S in each direction,approximately parallel to the case lid edge 24 of the everyday case 6.For inflation and deflation a valve 26 is provided. This valve 26 islocated at a safe and suitable place underneath the outside cover 8,preferably in the area of the zipper 22. The valve 26 according to FIG.2 is, after the fastening of the zipper 22, concealed under the outsidecover 8 so that it cannot be damaged or torn off during transportation.

In FIG. 3 two different possibilities for attaching a zipper 22 a, 22 bare shown. The first zipper 22 a corresponds to a great extent to thezipper 22 of FIG. 2. The zipper 22 a, located at the broader end of theoutside cover 8, proceeds here a distance S to the side after turningaround 180° at each direction. The distance S can amount in eachdirection to half of the circumference of the outside cover 8.

The second zipper 22 b proceeds in a linear fashion along one of bothlonger side walls of the outside cover 8. The dividing area 20 (notshown here) of the protective cover 4 proceeds parallel therewith, sothat by this embodiment also two sections can be swung apart. In bothinstances the everyday case 6 can be removed easily from the protectivecover 4 and the outside cover 8, after opening of the zipper 22 a or 22b.

FIG. 3 also shows that the side wall of the outside cover 8 is providedwith at least one handle 28 at a balanced position. Also at least oneremovable strap 30 is placed at the bottom of the outside cover 8.Besides, a pocket 32 is arranged in the side wall of the outside cover 8for storing a small air pump, such as a mechanical air pump or a smallelectrical aerial compressor. Alternatively, these devices may beattached directly in this location. From FIG. 3 it becomes clear thatthe pocket 32 is arranged, in particular with a transportation device 2for a stringed instrument, in the area of the neck of that stringedmusical instrument, where the necessary space is available.

In FIG. 4 is a first modification of the protective cover 4 of FIG. 1shown. There is also provided a protective cover 4 which entirely (up tothe dividing area 20 according to FIG. 2) surrounds the everyday case 6.

In this particular design it comprises a first series 4A and a secondseries 4B of segments or partial air chambers 34, 36. All air chambers34 of the first series 4A are connected with each other and are jointlyinflatable as well as deflatable. Also the air chambers 36 of the secondseries 4B are connected with each other. They are also jointlyinflatable and deflatable, but independently of those of the firstseries 4A. The air chambers 34, 36 are arranged alternately next to eachother.

They can have the design of air tubes which have, e.g., been glued orwelded together and possess—deviating from the representation in FIG.4—a round cross section. In this case adaptable plastic tubes would beused. Also here the thickness D of the inflated protective cover 4should be in the range from 5 to 10 cm. The outside cover 8 would againlie next to and outside the protective cover 4, or will even beconnected with it.

The air can be supplied jointly to all air chambers 34 of the firstseries 4A via a first valve 38. The air can be deflated again via thissame valve 38 before packing away the device 4, 8. The corresponding istrue with regard to the air chambers 36 of the second series 4B and asecond valve 40. Deviating from the representation, both valves 38, 40should be placed well-protected, i.e. preferably underneath the surfaceof the outside cover 8.

Of course more than a first and second series 4A, 4B can be provided.

In FIG. 5 is a second modification of the protective cover 4 of FIG. 1shown. The protective cover 4 comprises here a first and a second airchamber 42, 44, respectively, of an adaptable material. They arearranged close to one another, and together they surround the everydaycase 6. For both air chambers 42, 44 only three layers of an adaptablematerial are required in total. In order to inflate and deflate thefirst air chamber 42 again, a first valve 38 is provided. Accordingly toinflate and deflate independently the second air chamber 44, a secondvalve 40 is provided. Also here the valves 38, 40 should beplaced—deviating from the representation—well-protected underneath thesurface of the outside cover 8. It is important that the protective airchambers 42, 44 are provided at least in the area of the front (top),preferably in the area of the bridge of the stringed musical instrument.

Also here the thickness D of the inflated protective cover 4 shouldrange from 5 to 10 cm. Should one of the air chambers—in the embodimentsof FIGS. 4 and 5 shown as first or second series 4A, 4B and as first orsecond air chamber 42, 44, respectively for any reason become puncturedand the compressed air contained therein should escape, then thestill-intact air chamber in each embodiment can still fulfill itsimportant protective function, in particular during air transportation.

In FIG. 6 a protective cover 4 is shown which comprises a plurality oftubes arranged next to each other. Alternate tubular air chambers 34form a first series 4A, whereas alternate tubular air chambers 36 form asecond series 4B. The air chambers 34, 36 have a circular cross-section.A backing 50 in the form of a thin layer made of a flexible syntheticmaterial is attached to the air chambers 34, 36. The backing 50constitutes a protection for the protective cover 4.

The attachments of the air chambers 34, 36 are denoted as 52 and 54. Theentire unit 8, 34, 36, 50 is flexible and easily foldable.

It is important to understand that with present invention the owner of amusical instrument may keep his or her everyday case and use it for airtransportation so that it is available at the destination of a journey.It is only necessary to add the combination of the inflatable protectivecover 4 and the outside cover 8 in order to achieve full damageprotection during air transportation

1. A transportation device for a musical instrument, preferably for acello, made to fit over a conventional everyday case made of a hardmaterial, which is provided with hinges and whose interior is intendedfor the admission of the musical instrument, wherein a protective coverfor the everyday case and the musical instrument contained therein isprovided, wherein the protective cover is adapted to the shape of theeveryday case, is impact resistant and is completely surrounding theeveryday case, when the everyday case is placed therein, wherein azipper is provided, wherein when said zipper is open, the everyday caseis easily accommodated within the protective cover and easily removablefrom the protective cover, wherein the protective cover is inflatableand deflatable, wherein the protective cover is surrounded by an outsidecover made of a puncture-proof and flexible fabric, wherein theprotective cover and the outside cover are attached to each other, andwherein the protective cover together with the outside cover islight-weight compared to the everyday case.
 2. The transportation deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the outside cover has a broader end, andwherein the zipper is located at the broader end of the outside cover.3. The transportation device according to claim 1, wherein the zipperextends approximately up to one half of the circumference of the outsidecover.
 4. The transportation device according to claim 1, wherein theoutside cover is made of a puncture-proof and abrasion-resistant fabric.5. The transportation device according to claim 1, wherein the outsidecover is made of a puncture-proof and bullet-proof fabric.
 6. Thetransportation device according to claim 1, wherein in the region of thezipper either at the protective cover or at the outside cover there isprovided at least one valve for inflating and/or deflating.
 7. Thetransportation device according to claim 1, wherein a pocket for housingan air pump is provided on the outside cover.
 8. The transportationdevice according to claim 7 for a stringed instrument, in particular fora cello, wherein the pocket is arranged in the area of the neck of thestringed instrument.
 9. The transportation device according to claim 1,wherein a transportation means is provided.
 10. The transportationdevice according to claim 1, wherein a carrying bag is provided in whichat least the protective cover can be placed after removing theprotective cover from the everyday case and after folding.
 11. Thetransportation device according to claim 1, wherein the outside cover iswater-proof.
 12. The transportation device according to claim 1, whereinthe protective cover has a plurality of air chambers, which areinflatable independently from one another.
 13. The transportation deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein there is provided at least a first and asecond series of air chambers, and wherein the air chambers are arrangedalternately side by side.
 14. The transportation device according toclaim 12, wherein the air chambers have a circular cross-section, andwherein a backing is attached to the air chambers.
 15. Thetransportation device according to claim 12, wherein two protective airchambers are provided, which are arranged one above the other.
 16. Thetransportation device according to claim 1, wherein a backing isattached to the protective cover.
 17. The transportation deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the inflatable protectivecover is in the area of about 5 to 10 cm when inflated.
 18. Thetransportation device according to claim 1, wherein it is designed forair transport.